System and method for cooling vapors to be inhaled

ABSTRACT

An organic material such as tobacco can be smoked through a traditional smoking water pipe, also called a bong. The bong has a vertical cylindrical inhalation tube. The present invention provides a simple flexible ice mold that forms a cylindrical ice cube having a spiraled outer periphery. Various spiral patterns and mold sizes are disclosed. The inhaled smoke is exposed to about a 35% (at least about 25%) increased surface area of the ice cube with the ice cube resting in the vertical cylindrical inhalation tube. This cooler smoke is pleasing to the smoker.

CROSS REFERENCE PATENT

This non-provisional application claims priority to provisionalapplication number 62406774 filed Oct. 11, 2016.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present disclosure generally relates generally to smokingaccessories and more particularly to an apparatus configured to mold iceto fit into a water pipe to cool smoke immediately before inhalation ofthe smoke by a person using the water pipe to smoke a combustiblesubstance.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

U.S. Pat. No. 4,357,948 discloses a device for filtering and coolingsmoke or gas in a tobacco smoking water pipe (bong). A removablymountable filter is vertically disposed in a cylindrical pipe orpassage. The filter retains a quantity of liquid through which upwardlymoving smoke or gas passes. Pub. No. US 2011/0005533 discloses an entiresmoking water pipe made of ice.

Ice cubes are commonly used in water pipes to cool smoke beforeinhalation. This conventional approach involves chaotically stacking icecubes in a water pipe. Novel molds are used in making frozen,gelatinized, baked or otherwise solidified food or beverage products andaccessories. Novel geometries of ice cubes, including the presentinvention have a cylindrical cavity with contiguous indentations, can beused for a variety of purposes. An ice cube with the novel geometry ofcylindrical exterior with inset contiguous indentations has a variety ofuses including a beverage cooler or garnish.

The present invention solves the long sought need to increase theefficiency of a cooling medium in a smoking water pipe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Summary of the Disclosure

An aspect of the present invention is to provide an ice shape ofcylindrical exterior with inset passages to cool vapors to be inhaled ina tobacco (or other organic material) smoking water pipe.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide an ice shape witha cylindrical exterior and peripheral grooves that is simple andinexpensive to manufacture.

Still another aspect of the present invention is to provide an ice moldthat is simple to use.

Still another aspect of the present invention is to provide a wrap tocompress the mold during freezing.

Still another aspect of the present invention is to provide an iceholding structure that can hold ice with passages and be removed fromthe ice. Ice formed within this structure fits into a water pipe to coolpassing smoke.

Still another aspect of the present invention is to provide a sheath ofa flexible waterproof material. The inner circumference of the sheathhas raised ribs.

Other aspects of this invention will appear from the followingdescription and appended claims, reference being made to theaccompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein likereference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

In operation a traditional water pipe has a vertical cylinder withinterior indents. The present invention provides an ice mold thatproduces a cylindrical ice cube with a spiral series of indentationgrooves. This ice cube is dropped into the vertical cylinder and restson the interior indents. The smoke passes through the spiraledindentation grooves of the ice cube. The smoke receives over a 30%increased surface area exposure and over a 100% increased pathway lengthcompared to a cylinder shaped ice cube. This extra cooling adds anon-obvious improvement to smoking from a traditional water pipe.

The novel features will be best understood from the followingdescription of the specific embodiments when read and understood inconnection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are a part of the application and;

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the preferred mold for the spiraled icecube.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the back side of the mold, shown in FIG.1.

FIG. 3 is a side view as the mold in FIG. 1 is closing.

FIG. 4 is a top view as the mold in FIG. 1 is closing.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the mold in FIG. 1 once closed.

FIG. 6 is cross-section A-A of FIG. 5 of the closed mold.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of cross-section A-A of the closed moldshown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the closed mold shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the molded ice cube made from the mold of FIG.2 with embodied dimensions.

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of the ice cube shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11A is an isometric view of a two flute spiral molded ice cube.

FIG. 11B is a front elevation view of the FIG. 11A ice cube.

FIG. 12A is an isometric view of a spiral zigzag molded ice cube.

FIG. 12B is a front elevation view of the FIG. 12A ice cube.

FIG. 12C is a side elevation view of the FIG. 12A ice cube.

FIG. 13 is a water pipe with the ice cube 40 of FIG. 9.

Before explaining the disclosed embodiments in detail, it is to beunderstood that the embodiments are not limited in application to thedetails of the particular arrangements shown, since other embodimentsare possible. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescription and not of limitation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A GLOSSARY OF REFERENCE NUMERALSUTILIZED IN THE DRAWINGS

10 mold

11 diameter lettering

12 test fit section

13 media buffer

14 top opening

15 pathway positive ridges

16 slanted protrusion

17 protrusion

18 inlay shutoff

19 raised shutoff

20 cavity

21A and B chamber piece

22 side

23 bottom band

24 center ridge

25 chamber piece bottom

26 center relief

27 side protrusion

28 foot

29 bottom relief

30 wrap

31 hole

32 handle

40 molded shape

41 cylindrical exterior

42 internal diameter of media

43 excess media

44 pathway

50 water pipe

51 ice catch

52 water bulb

53 downstem

54 combustion bowl

55 open cylinder

60 air—Moving toward combustion bowl 54

61 smoke—moving along downstem 53

62 smoke—exiting downstem 53 into water bulb 52

63 smoke—bubbling out of water bulb 52

64 smoke—traveling trough pathway 44

65 smoke—exiting water pipe 55

70 combustible substance

FIG. 1 shows an ice cube mold 10 having two chamber pieces 21A, and 21B.The pieces 21A and B are conjoined by bottom band 23 and having wrap 30.Chamber pieces 21A, B together, enclose mold cavity 20 with raisedpathway positive ridges 15.

FIG. 2 shows the other side of the ice mold 10. The test fit section 12may have diameter lettering 11 identifying the diameter of the moldedshape 40 shown in FIG. 9. The slanted protrusions 16, protrusions 17,and side protrusions 27 accept the holes 31 of the wrap 30. Slantedprotrusion 16 tapers outward to resist the final hole 31 of the wrap 30from slipping off and spontaneously unwrapping the mold.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the chamber pieces 21A, B closing. Bottomband 23 is a living hinge. When closing, the chamber piece bottom 25fits onto the top side of the bottom band 23 such that the center ridge24 is aligned with the center relief 26. A bottom relief 29 enables thebottom band 23 to present a flat surface downward when closed. Toenclose cavity 20, the raised shutoff 19 receives the inlay shutoff 18,and the sides 22 are pressed together.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the mold 10 closing, as it was in FIG. 3. Theinlay shutoff 18 is receiving the raised shutoff 19. Side 22 of chamberpiece 21A closes against side 22 of chamber piece 21B. The length ofwrap 30 is not displayed in full. After the two chamber pieces 21A, Bare brought together, the wrap 30 is wrapped around them.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the closed and wrapped mold 10. The wrap 30is pictured closed, covering side protrusions 27, protrusions 17, andending at the slanted protrusions 16. The flat surface resulting fromthe closed bottom band 23 and feet 28 can be seen.

FIG. 6 shows cross-section A-A of the closed mold 10. Both the inlayshutoff 18 and the raised shutoff 19 are shown in this cross section,the raised portion inside the inlay.

Similarly the center ridge 24 and the center relief 26 are shown incontact. The wrap 30 covers the side protrusions 27 with holes 31. Thetop opening 14 and the media buffer 13 provide the means of filling themold 10 with media (water) once closed.

Chamber pieces 21A, B may have diameter lettering 11 to display thediameter of the molded shape 40. Chamber pieces 21A, B may have diametertest fit section 12 to check the fit of molded shape 40 into opencylinder 55. Using the mold to check the size of open cylinder 55 inwhich molded shape 40 will fit, gives confidence to a potential in-storebuyer. Above cavity 20 is water level buffer 13. As water freezes andexpands in cavity 20 the water raises out of top opening 14 into mediabuffer 13. Top opening 14 has the same diameter as at the deepest partof pathway 44. Pathway positive 15 is raised from the cylindricalexterior of mold cavity 20 to produce pathway 44 in molded shape 40.Wrap 30 is attached to one chamber piece 21 and wraps covering the eachprotrusion 16, 17, 27 once. Wrap 30 is sized such that it must bestretched to wrap around assembled chamber pieces 21 and protrusions 16,17, 27 to provide compression to prevent water leaking from cavity 20.Inlay shutoff 18 runs the perimeter of mold cavity 20 on side 22. Raisedshutoff 19 fits into inlay shutoff 18 to impede water leaking fromcavity 20. Side 22 fits against another side 22 to support thecompression load from wrap 30.

There may exist a bottom band 23 which connects the chamber pieces 21 toprovide compressive force at the base, in some instances with centerridge 24 centering that force into the center relief 26 at the base ofthe chamber piece 21. Chamber pieces may have foot 28 or bottom relief29 to facilitate the closed mold 10 standing upright unassisted.

FIG. 7 shows an isometric view of cross section A-A of mold 10.

FIG. 8 shows the outside of the mold 10 invention where wrap 30 has thehandle 32 closed over the slanted protrusions 16. The side protrusion 27is visible through hole 31.

FIG. 9 shows the dimensions in the preferred embodiment of the moldedice cube shape 40. The diameter d₁ of the molded shape 40 is 1.65 incheswith a total height d₂ of 3 inches. The pitch d₃ of the pathway 44 is0.4 inches. The depth d₅ of the pathway 44 is 0.3 inches. The surface d₆of the center cylinder 42 between ridges is in the same plane as thecylindrical exterior 41 for 0.08 inches along the pathway 44. Thesurface d₄ of the ridges composing the cylindrical exterior 41 is 0.11inches. Therefore, the displacement in the walls of the pathway 44 alongthis dimension is 0.21 inches. The pathway wall displacement, depth andtotal pathway 44 length determine the exposed surface area which coolsthe inhaled vapors. For a 1.65 inch diameter, 3 inch tall described icecube 40, 35% more surface area is presented to the inhaled gas than aright circular cylinder of the same diameter and height. The pathway 44length is nine inches while the regular cylinder has only three verticalinches of contacted cooling surface. The surface of the ridges d₄ issuch that the user does not find the usage too brief with the ice cubeshape 40 melting against the walls of the water pipe 50. The top openingdiameter is such that an ice cube 40 can withstand the forces of openingthe mold 10.

As there are many diameters of water pipes, many diameters d₁ could beconsidered as preferred, ranging from one half to three inches. Thelength, d₂, of the ice relates to the temperature change of the passingsmoke; a longer ice shape will cool the smoke more. The length may rangefrom about two to about seven inches. The other pathway measurements d₃,d₄, d₅, and d₆, optimize cooling, ease of use, and duration of function.

FIG. 10 shows a complete molded ice cube 40 after being removed from themold 10.

FIGS. 11A, B present an isometric and front view of a two flute spiralvariant of the molded shape labeled 400.

FIGS. 12A, B, C present a front, side, and isometric view of a threefluted spiral zigzag molded shape labeled 500.

FIG. 13. show a method of use of the ice cube 40 to cool passing vapors.Ice cube 40 is removed from mold 10, placed into open cylinder 55, andlowered to rest on ice catch 51.

A smoker of the water pipe 50 causes combustion of combustible substance70 in combustion bowl 54 and inhales from open cylinder 55 to draw inair 60 to combustion bowl 54. Smoke 61 travels along the downstem 53.Smoke 62 exits the downstem 53 into water bulb 52. Smoke 63 bubbles outof water bulb 52. Smoke 64 travels through pathway 44 and is cooled.Smoke 65 exits water pipe 50 and is inhaled at the top T of opencylinder 55.

Preferred Embodiment

FIG. 1 depicts the preferred embodiment mold 10 of the inventionidentified as a one-piece, single pathway variant. The bottom band 23connects the opposed chamber pieces 21A, B. A wrap 30 is connected toone chamber piece 21 of sufficient length to encircle the closed mold 10after stretching. The wrap 30 has holes 31 spaced to match protrusions17 and 27. One chamber piece 21 features a raised shutoff 19 and theopposing chamber piece 21 features a complementary inlay shutoff 18.

The method of the preferred embodiment is such that the raised shutoff19 on one chamber piece 21 fits the inlay shutoff 18 on the other pieceand they are pressed together. The bottom band 23 is tensioned inclosing. The wrap 30 is then pulled around the mold, fitting holes 31over protrusions 17 and side protrusions 27 to compress and seal thecavity 20 by closing on slanted protrusions 16. Water is then added totop opening 14 but not so much as to fill media buffer 13 and causeoverflow if freezing. The mold and liquid are then stood upright on feet28 and bottom band 23 in a freezing chamber. Once cast, the wrap 30 isunwrapped completely, then the chamber pieces 21 are gently peeled offthe resultant molded shape 40.

Liquid may be added to cavity 20 through top opening 14, then theassembly is chilled to cause liquid in cavity 20 to freeze or cure. Themedia buffer 13 enables casting using a medium that expands as itsolidifies. Once cast, the mold wrap 30 is unwrapped from the mold, thenchamber pieces 21A, B are separated from molded shape 40. Mold 10 ismade of food safe silicone and is flexible when very cold, enablingbending the mold 10 off of molded shape 40. Internal diameter 42 is usedto hold molded shape 40 and lower it into open cylinder 55 of water pipe50.

Molds of other diameters, numbers of flutes, length, flute height, andflute shape are also possible. Cavity 20 may be formed by a mold 10having more than two chamber pieces 21. Mold 10 is geometrically createdto optimize ease of use, durability, ice function, andmanufacturability. Molds may be made of plastic, rubber, silicone, wood,carbon fiber, or metal.

If ice, molded shape 40 can also be used to chill liquids. When placedinto a Cocktail or other beverage molded shape 40 provides a novelgeometry. The pathway 44 provides an increased interface for moldedshape 40 to cool liquid around it, cooling the beverage faster than aright circular cylinder of similar dimension. Establishments that servecocktails buy ice of specific shapes; including cube and sphere. Icemolded shape 40 can be made in bulk and sold to bars and restaurants asa novel ice shape to cool beverages, or the mold 10 can be sold toeconomically produce the ice in house.

Molded shape 40 has a circular vertical profile and can be fit into opencylinder 55. Cylindrical exterior 41 is sized to fit open cylinder 55 ofwater pipe 50 such that gas flowing in open cylinder 55 generally doesnot flow around molded shape 40 but does flow along the pathway 44. Ifice, excess media 43 above internal diameter 42 provides means to holdice molded shape 40. When ice, molded shape 40 is geometrically createdto optimize cooling of the flowing gas with manufacturability, flowimpedance, duration of function, and strength of part.

Cavity 20 provides a sheath of a flexible waterproof material. Thechamber pieces 21 and wrap 30 may be made of silicone with the benefitsof being food safe, easy to clean, stretchy, and durable. Cavity 20could be used to make Popsicle, cake, chocolate, or food product. Cavity20 could be used as a male masturbation aide. The multiple uses of theinvention provide value to a customer.

The exemplary embodiment has been described with reference to thepreferred embodiment. Obviously, modifications and alterations willoccur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detaileddescription. It is intended that the exemplary embodiment be construedas including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they comewithin the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative of the principles of theinvention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention asclaimed.

While a number of exemplifying features and embodiments have beendiscussed above, those of skill in the art will recognize certainmodifications, permutations, additions and subcombinations thereof. Nolimitation with respect to the specific embodiments disclosed herein isintended or should be inferred.

What is claimed is:
 1. In a smoking water pipe having a verticalcylindrical inhalation tube rising from a water bulb, the water bulbhaving a downstem with a combustion bowl, an improvement comprising: afrozen cube of fluid sized to fit inside the vertical cylindricalinhalation tube; said frozen cube of fluid having a height of at least adiameter of the vertical cylindrical inhalation tube; said frozen cubeof fluid having an outside peripheral wall; said outside peripheral wallhaving a plurality of grooves; and wherein said plurality of groovesprovide an increased surface area of the outside peripheral wall of atleast about 25% more than a comparable height circular cylinder havingflat peripheral walls.
 2. The combination of claim 1, wherein saidplurality of grooves further comprise a stack of symmetric cavitiesformed by ridges.
 3. The combination of claim 2, wherein each ridge hasa channel which communicates with adjacent grooves.
 4. The combinationof claim 1, wherein a height of the frozen cube of fluid ranges fromabout two to about seven inches.
 5. The combination of claim 1, whereinsaid plurality of grooves further comprise a spiral shape forming acontinuous spiraled channel.
 6. The combination of claim 1, wherein saidplurality of grooves further comprise a spiral zigzag shape.
 7. Thecombination of claim 1, wherein the outside peripheral wall has acylindrical shape.
 8. A method to cool smoke inside a verticalinhalation tube of a smoking water pipe, the method comprising the stepsof: forming a flexible ice mold with a living hinge supporting two halfcavity chambers; compressing each half cavity chamber together; wrappinga flexible clamp around the closed two half cavity chamber; forming aplurality of grooves on an inside wall of each half of the cavitychamber; filling the cavity with a fluid; freezing the fluid; openingthe closed cavity chambers; placing a frozen fluid cube from the cavitychamber into the vertical inhalation tube; and inhaling smoke from thevertical inhalation tube.
 9. An ice mold comprising: a first and asecond half of a flexible chamber cavity; each half of the chambercavity has an inside wall with ridges; each half of the chamber cavityhas an outside wall with projecting studs; one half of the chambercavity has a flexible closure wrap; said closure wrap has a plurality ofreceiving holes for the projecting studs; and a closed mode of the icemold comprises a positioning of the two halves of the chamber cavitytogether, and a positioning of the closure wrap around the two halves ofthe chamber cavity with the receiving holes securing the projectingstuds.
 10. The combination of claim 9, wherein the two halves of thechamber cavity are joined by a living hinge connection.
 11. Thecombination of claim 9, wherein the first and second half of the chambercavity includes a test fit section of the same size as the inside wall.